Fluoroscopic x-ray apparatus



Nov. 10, 1959 w. J. DALY 2,912,587

FLUOROSCOPIC X-RAY APPARATUS Filed Aug. 1, 1957 45' 15' ,HZ IG. g

Arranuqg United St This invention relates to improved apparatus forutilizing X-rays or similar radiation, that is, high frequencyradioactive radiation capable of penetrating opaque solid substances.More particularly, the invention is especially concerned with theprovision of means for supporting an object in a manner allowing it tobe fiuoroscopically viewed within an X-ray chamber or cabinet.

In the manufacture of certain critical types of metal castings and otherparts, it is customary to make X-ray photographs of the parts to obtainan indication of the internal condition of the metal. This isconventionally done within a special X-ray cabinet or chamber, intowhich the part and the X-ray film are placed, and within which theX-rays are then directed through the object and onto the film to obtaina picture.

The general object of the present invention is to provide apparatus foradapting a cabinet or chamber of the above discussed type in amanner'allowin'g for fluoroscopic viewing from the outside of thechamber, of a work piece or object positioned in the chamber. Morespecifically, the invention has to do with special means for supportinga work piece in the chamber in a manner allowing such viewing, while atthe same time preferably permitting for retraction of the supportstructure to a position in which the interior of the cabinet isunobstructed and available for the making of an X-ray photograph ifdesired.

structurally, the support includes a platform on which the work piecemay be placed and having a fluorescent screen as a portion of theplatform. The X-rays or other radiation are directed through the objectand onto the screen to produce an image showing the interior conditionof the object. For reflecting this image in a direction allowing it tobe viewed through a viewing window, there is desirably provided amirror, which may be located at the underside of the platform, and mayfunction to reflect the image horizontally toward a side wall of thecabinet.

To allow for retraction of the support, I provide means mounting thesupport platform for movement between an active generally horizontalposition in the cabinet and a retracted position adjacent a wall of thecabinet. The mirror may be carried by the platform for retractingmovement therewith, and may also be hinged to the platform for relativefolding movement, so that the entire platform and mirror assembly canfold to a very small dimension condition adjacent the cabinet wall. Themounting means preferably include a pair of spaced vertical guides bywhich the platform supporting parts are mounted for vertical movement toexpand and retract the platform.

The above and other features of'the present invention will be betterunderstood from the following detailed description of the typicalembodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partially broken away, of an X-ray unitconstructed in accordance with the invention;

2,912,587 Patented Nov. 10, 1959 Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentarycentral vertical section through the Fig. l apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view, partially broken away, of theinner work supporting platform or tray and associated parts;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section showing the platform or tray inits retracted position; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the mirrorsupporting latch element.

Referring first to Fig. 1, l have shown at 10 an X-ray cabinet having atits upper side a radiation head 11. Head 11 directs X-rays or othersimilar radiation downwardly within the interior of cabinet Hi, to passthrough an opaque work piece, to indicate the internal condition of thework piece. Cabinet 10 may be supported on a number of legs 12, and isdesirably of rectangular configuration. More specifically, the cabinetit may have two parallel horizontal top and bottom walls '13 and 14, twovertical parallel end walls 15 (only one shown), a rear vertical wall 16extending perpendicular to end walls 15, and two doors 17 for closingthe front side of the cabinet. Doors 317, when closed, extend parallelto rear walls 16, and are mounted by hinges 18 to swing outwardly orforwardly to open positions in which they allow free access to theinterior of the cabinet. Handles 20 may be provided for opening andclosing the doors, and of course suitable latch means are provided forretaining the doors in closed positions.

The upper radiation producing head 11 is contained Within a housing 19formed at the upper side of the cabinet It); The head lli is typicallyrepresented as an X-ray tube, but may also, be any other suitable sourceof X-rays or similar radiation capable of passing through opaque solidsubstances. For example, the head 11 might be a radiation sourcecontaining a substance such as radio active phosphorus (P-32),thorium-X, radium, radon gas, radio active cobalt, or any other suitableradio active substance or isotope capable of producing the desiredradiation. The radiation passes downwardly from the upper housing Bthrough an opening 21 formed in the upper side of top wall 13 of cabinet10, to then pass downwardly within the cabinet toward the center ofbottom wall 14, with the center of the beam being represented by thevertical arrow 22 in Fig. 2.

When it is desired to take an X-ray photograph in cabinet iii, the filmmay be placed on bottom wall 14 of the cabinet, asat 23 in Fig. 2, andwith a work piece 24 positioned on the film. The radiation directeddownwardly through the work piece and onto the film will then produce animage on the film indicating the internal condition of the work piece.The relatively large area within cabinet 10 allows for the photographingof very large parts in the cabinet. In order to prevent the discharge ofany of the radiation to the outside of cabinet 10, all of the walls 13,i4, 15 and 16, as well as doors 17 and upper housing 19, are formed oflead or other similar high density material which is capable offunctioning as a shield for preventing the passage of radiationtherethrough.

The present invention is particularly concerned with the pro-vision incabinet 10 of a fluoroscopic assembly 25 for supporting a work piece 24ain a position in which it can be viewed fluoroscopically from theexterior of the cabinet. This assembly 25 is retractable from the Fig. 1position of use to the Fig. 4 retracted position adjacent sidewall 15 ofcabinet 10. In this Fig. 4 position, the fluoroscopic assembly number 25leaves the entire interior of cabinet 1%) unobstructed, to allow for theX-ray photographing of any desired size of work piece within thecabinet. When assembly 25 is in the Fig. 1 position, the work piece 24ais fluoroscopically viewed through a Window 26 formed in the lowerportion of side wall 15, which window may be rectangular as seen Fig. 3.Across the window or aperture 26, there is provided a window pane 27,formed of a substance which is transparent to light rays but isessentially opaque to the passage of X-rays and similar radiationtherethrough. For instance, this pane 27 may be formed of glass havinglead contained therein in a manner resisting the passage of X-raysthrough the pane. This type of glass is of course well known in the art,and therefore need not be described any more specifically.

The fluoroscopic support assembly 25 includes a platform 28, whichprojects horizontally from side wall 15 to the center of cabinet 18 inthe active work supporting position of assembly 25 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3).Platform 28 includes a planar sheets of lead 29 forming the horizontalportion of the platform, and having angle irons rigidly attached to itsperiphery in a manner forming two depending parallel vertical flanges 3%extending along opposite sides of platform 28, and a third transversedepending fiange 31 extending across the outer end of the platform.Toward its outer end, and at a location positioned directly beneathradiation head 11 when assembly 25 is in its active position, the tray28 contains an opening 32, typically of rectangular configuration, andwithin which there is rigidly carried a correspondin ly rectangularfluorescent screen 33. As seen in Fig. 2, the work piece 24:: is placedon fluorescent screen 33, so that radiation may pass downwardly throughthe work piece and cause a fluorescent image on screen 33. Beneath thisscreen, there is provided a windowpane 34 formed of lead-containingglass or other material such as that utilized for pane 27, to preventany of the radiation from passing downwardly through pane 34. At thesame time, this pane is transparent to the passage of visible lighttherethrough.

Beneath screen 33 and pane 3 platform 28 carries a typically rectangularmi ror 35, which is mounted by a piano hinge 3 to the underside of anangle iron 37 by which elements 33 and are supported in the platform.The mirror 35 is mounted by these hinges 36 to swing relative to therest of the platform between the full line downwardly inclined activeposition of Fig. 2 and the upper broken line retracted position of thatfigure. in this broken line retracted position, mirror 35 extendsparallel to the horizontal lead plate 29 of the platform, and is thus sopositioned as to be easily foldaole with the platform to the Fig. 4retracted position. In its lowered active position, mirror 35 issuspended at the proper ig. 2 inclination by a pair of chains 38attached at their upper ends to flanges 33 of the platform, and at theirlower ends to the opposite sides of the mirror. In the upper retractedposition 35a of the mirror, this part is supported in fixed relation tothe platform by a latch or holding element 39 (see Fig. 5), which ispivoted at 413 to one of the flanges 3-5 and which has a portion 41adapted to support an edge of the mirror. To allow movement of themirror to and from its retracted position 35a of Fig. 2, element 39 canpivot about its hinge pin 4t) to the broken line position represented inFig 2, in which position the flange 41 is located out of the path ofswinging movement of mirror 35. The inclination or angulrity of mirror35 in its Fig. 2 full line position is desirably 45 relative to both thevertical and horizontal, to renect the light from iiuorescent screen 33along a generally horizontal line represented at in Fig. 2, so that thelight passes through window 26 for viewing from the outside of thatwindow.

The assembly 25 is retractably mounted to the inner side of wall 15 by apair of vertically extending spaced ri id channels 43, which are ofU-shaped horizontal section, and which have their open sides facingtoward one another. These channels 43 are rigidly secured to the innerside of wall 15, and are located on opposite sides of window 26.

When the platform 23 is in its Fig. 1 horizontal position, it issupported in that position by means of a pair of angular or inclinedspaced parallel braces 44, which may extend at approximately a 45 angleto both the vertical and horizontal. These two braces are positioned atopposite sides of the platform, and are pivoted at their upper ends todepending side flanges 30 of the platform, at 45. The lower ends offlanges 44 are pivotally connected at 46 to a pair of vertical rigidelements 47 which extend vertically along the inner sides of channelmembers 43 respectively. Members 47 are rigidly interconnected towardtheir lower ends by a rigid horizontal frame member 48. Each of theelements 47 is guided for only vertical movement within the housing, bymeans of a pair of rollers 49, which are rotatably mounted to the upperand lower ends of member 47 for rotation about a pair of verticallyspaced horizontal axes 5% These rollers 49 have a diameter correspondingapproximately to the width 51 of channels 43, to be received withinthose channels and guided thereby for the desired vertical movement. Therollers 49 at one side or" the platform may be mounted for rotationabout the same axes 50 as are the rollers positioned at the oppositeside of the platform. As will be apparent, the entire structure 474849moves as a unit vertically within the cabinet, as guided by the twochannel members. For retaining the structure in any of differentpositions within the cabinet, the member 48 carries a spring-pressedlatch element 52, which is adapted to engage a toothed memer 53 rigidlyattached to the inner side of wall 15, so that the portion 54 of latchelement 52 can rest on any of the different teeth of element 53 tosupport the entire tray structure at a desired elevation.

The inner edge portion of tray 28 (the portion closest to wall 35) maybe curved downwardly at 54, as seen best in Fig. 2. More specifically,both the top lead plate 29 and the opposite side flanges 30 of the traymay curve downwardly at this point. Directly opposite channels 43, thedepending flanges 34) of the platform may project slightly beyond toplead plate 29 of the platform, to provide lugs to which a pair ofrollers 55 are mounted for rotation relative to the tray structure abouta horizontal axis 56 extending parallel to the previously mentionedhorizontal axes 50. These rollers 55 may be dimensioned the same asrollers 49, and are received and guided within channels 43, to thusguide the inner edge portion of the platform for vertical movement alongthe channels. Such vertical movement of rollers 55 within the channelsmoves these rollers toward and away from the lower rollers 49, tothereby move the platform structure between its active and retractedpositions. More specifically, as rollers 55 are moved upwardly fromtheir Fig. 2 positions to their Fig. 4 positions, the braces 44 swingtoward wall 15, and the platform swings inwardly and downwardly towardwall 15, until the entire structure is in the Fig. 4 position. Theplatform when retracted may have a vertical dimension correspondingsubstantially to the internal height of the cabinet, and the positioningof the parts may be such as to require some upward movement of thestructure 47-4849 from the Fig. 2 position in order to accommodate theplatform structure in its Fig. 4 retracted position. Also, there may beprovided on outer flange 31 of the platform a pair of ball casters orother anti-friction elements 57 which are engageable with the bottomwall 14 of the cabinet as the platform structure swings toward its Fig.4 position, to limit downward movement of the platform structure, andthus cause an upward movement of braces 44 and the attached parts 47 and48 as the platform is retracted. The platform is relasably retained inits Fig. 2 active position by means of a pair of latch elements 58,which are pivoted at 59 to the two depending flanges 3th of theplatform, and which have holding notches 69 adapted to engage and hold apair of pins 61 projecting inwardly from elements 47 along the upper ofthe two axes 50. Elements 58 may have lugs 62 for facilitating themanual actuation into and out of active positions, and the notches 60 ofelements 58 may have a slightly inclined or angular configuration suchas to effectively retain pins 61 within these notches as a result of theupward force exerted against latch parts 58 when the platform is inactive condition. This upward force exerted on elements 58 is of coursecaused by the gravitational pull exerted against the outer and heavierportions of the platform, including the fluorescent screen 33 andassociated parts.

To now describe the manner of use of the apparatus, assume first of allthat it is desired to make an X-ray photograph within cabinet 10. Aspreviously mentioned, this is effected by positioning the platformstructure 25 in its Fig. 4 retracted position adjacent wall 15, and thenlocating the film 23 and work piece 24 on bottom wall 14 within thecabinet (Fig. 1). The X-ray tube or other radiation head 11 is thenenergized or placed in a condition to emit radiation downwardly alongaxis 22, to make the desired X-ray photograph.

When it is desired to fluoroscopically view a work piece 24a, forexample a metal casting, within the cabinet 10, the first step is toopen doors 17, and to swing the platform structure 25 to its activepositive of Figs. 1, 2 and 3. This is effected by merely pulling thelower portion of the retracted platform of Fig. 4 is a direction awayfrom wall 15, to cause rollers 55 to move downwardly along channels 43,and to thereby swing braces 44 toward their active Fig. 2 positions.When the tray is in its horizontal Fig. 2 position, latch elements 58are moved to their holding positions of Fig. 2, to retain the platformin that condition. The latch element 52 is then actuated manuallyagainst the force of its associated spring 63 to a position in whichportion 54 of element 52 can move downwardly past some of the teeth ofelement 53, and into engagement with a proper one of the teeth foraccurately locating the platform assembly at a desired location oppositewindow 26. Part 39 is swung to its broken line position of Fig. 2,, torelease mirror 35 for downward movement to its inclined Fig. 2 activeposition, and the apparatus is then ready for use as a fluoroscopicdevice. The work piece is placed on the platform, above fluorescentscreen 33, and doors 17 are closed, following which radiation head 11 isenergized to direct a beam of X-rays or light downwardly, centered aboutaxis 22. This beam passes through work piece 24a in Fig. 2 and causes afluorescent image on screen 33 representing the work piece. This imageis reflected by mirror 35 in a manner such that a viewer at a location64 at the outside of the housing can view the fluoroscopic image of thework piece. When it is desired to again retract the fluoroscopicapparatus, the mirror 35 is first swung to and held in its retractedposition, and the platform is moved to its Fig. 4 position as previouslydiscussed. In the Fig. 2 active condition of the fluoroscopic assembly,it is noted that the lead plate 29 provides a shield within the interiorof the cabinet between the radiation source and window 26, forpreventing the direct passage of any of the radiation to that window.

I claim:

1. The combination comprising a closed radiation chamber having sidewalls and a window in one of the side walls through which the interiorof the chamber is visible from the outside thereof, means for directingonto a work piece in said chamber a radiation beam capable of passingthrough opaque solid substances, a platform for supporting a work piecein said chamber and including a fluorescent screen onto which theradiation falls after passing through said work piece to form a visibleimage of the work piece, means mounting said platform, and itsfluorescent screen for movement between an active generally horizontalwork supporting position and a retracted generally vertical positionadjacent a wall of said chamber, and a mirror in a position to reflectsaid image 6 of the work piece on said screen in a line of visionthrough said window of the chamber.v

2. The combination as recited in claim 1, including means mounting saidmirror to said platform for movement therewith between said active andretracted positions.

3. The combination as recited in claim 1, including hinge means mountingsaid mirror to said platform for swinging movement relative theretobetween a first position generally parallel to said platform and aviewing position disposed angularly with respect to the platform, saidmirror being movable with the platform as the latter moves between saidactive and retracted positions.

4. The combination as recited in claim 1, in which said window is formedin a vertical side wall of the chamber, and said mounting means movablyattaches the platform to the chamber adjacent the Window-containingsidewall thereof, said platform projecting generally horizontally fromsaid side wall above a mirror-viewing line of vision through the windowin said active position, and extending essentially vertically adjacentsaid window-containing side wall in'said retracted position.

5. The combination as recited in claim 1, in which said mounting meansinclude a pair of vertical guide members adjacent to window-containingside of the chamber and at opposite sides of the window, and meanssupporting the platform and mounted by side guide members for verticalmovement and acting to horizontally project and retract the platform bysuch movement.

6. The combination as recited in claim 1, in which said platformcomprises a lead sheet the area of which contains said screen, therebeing a transparent window pane at the location of said fluorescentscreen adapted to pass light therethrough but preventing the passage ofsaid radiation therethrough.

7. The combination comprising a radiation chamber having a side wallcontaining a window through which the interior of the chamber is visiblefrom the outside thereof, means for directing downwardly within saidchamber radiation capable of passing through opaque solid substances, aplatform for supporting a work piece in said chamber and including afluorescent screen onto which the radiation falls after passing throughsaid work piece to form a visible image of the work piece, a mirrorcarried by said platform, means mounting said platform and itsfluorescent screen and mirror adjacent to said window-containing sidewall for movement between an active position projecting generallyhorizontally within said chamber at an elevation above an area of thewindow through which the mirror is visible and a retracted positionextending generally vertically at a side of the chamber directlyopposite said window, and hinge means attaching said mirror to theplatform for swinging movement relative thereto between a positiongenerally parallel to the platform and a relative position in which themirror is inclined downwardly and below the platform and will-reflectsaid image of the work piece through saidv window when the platform isin its active position.

8. The combination as recited in claim 7, in which said mounting meansinclude a pair of elongated braces pivotally mounted at first ends toswing relative to the chamber between retracted vertical positionsadjacent a side of the chamber and active positions projecting at aninclination upwardly and away from said side of the chamber to supportthe platform in its active position, means pivoting second ends of saidbraces to the platform at points which are spaced from the side of thechamber in the active position of the platform, and means guiding anedge portion of the platform for vertical movement to open and retractthe platform.

9. For use in a radiation chamber having a window through which theinterior of the chamber is visible and within which there is emitted aradiation beam capable of passing through an opaque solid substance; aplatform for supporting a work piece in said chamber and including afluorescent screen onto which the radiation may fall after passingthrough said work piece to form a visible image of the work piece, meansincluding spaced vertical guides and travelers therein for mounting saidplatform and its fluorescent screen for movement between an activegenerally horizontal work supporting position and a retracted generallyvertical position adjacent a wall of said chamber, and a mirror carriedby said platform for reflecting said image of the work piece on saidscreen in a direction to be viewed through said window of the chamber.

10. The combination of claim 9, including also means References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENT Talty July 24, 1934 Koerneret a1 May 25, 1954 Schneeman July 13, 1954

